, 1887-11-05
THE FISH CAR.
An Inspection of the Government
Fish Distributing Car.
About 5000, 900 Carp Scattered
Throughout the West.
Returning With Specimens of Fos-
siIs, Animals and Birds.

A red passenger coach at the Cheyenne
depot attracts more attention and ELECTS
more comment and speculation han the
advent of the historical little red wagon
upon the streets. To this fact may be
ascribed the curiosity which led a large
number of civizens to visit and inspect the
gaily dressed special car Of the United
States fish commission which was side
tracked in the Union Pacific yards here
for several hours yesterday.
Tho portable geological garden and pis-
catory repository was in charge of j.
Frank Ellis, representing the government
fish commission, and Prot. w. 7. Horna-
day, chief taxidermist for the Smith
sonian Institute and superintendent of the
national museum, a recent addition to the
institute, which will ultimately become a
very important, interesting and attractive
feature.
The car left Washington several months
ago and has been transported over the
Northern Pacific SO far West as Tacoma,
w. T. During the trip Mr.. Ellis has
been distributing young fish, principally
the hardy German carp, in localities hav-
ing fish loving representatives in congress.
OF the 10000, 900 fish which originally
comprised the cargo of the car built ex-
pressly for the purpose for which it is
used, but a few hundred remain. These
were contained in ordinary tin pals and
the curious visitor learned had not been
fed since taking their abode in the cylin-
derical receptacle, subsisting entirely
upon the animalicule contained in the
water.
Prot. Hornaday's mission was the col
lection of animals and birds for the Ma
tional Museum, and the gathering of
specimens for the Smithsonian institute.
Since the removal OF large consignments
of fish provided him with space, he has
labored assiduously and with fair success.
Carefully packed in straw are fossils
which members of the institute consider
of great value, and many specimens of
rare fora peculiar to the West. These
will occupy a prominent place in the
halls of the society at Washington, and
will materially assist the enthusiastic stu
dents in their researches.
The menageric department of the car
was extremely interesting, though only
containing animals to be found in Wyo-
ming. In strong crates were the follow
ing animals, selected especially to repre-
sent the four-foOted denizens of Western
wllds and mountain Businesses: Three
deer, a black tail and two Of the specie
called "mule-hced, - a cinnamon bear, pair
of badgers, male and female wild cat, one
red, one silver grey, and one Alaskan fox.
With one hand struking a deer and the
other dangerously near the Grated cage of
the wild cats, Mr.. HornadaY discoursed
entertainingly upon the habits and traits
of the animals, spoke of a stupid looking
young eagle near by as an Gquila chTySae
toS, and related incidents of the success
ful buffalo hunt made by himself in Mon
tana at the suggestion of the institute.
Finally the gentleman drifted to his fav-
Orite theme, taxidermy, and exhibited
a series of pictures illustrative of his
method of mounting defunct animals.
His process, which is original, is produc-
tive of the best results. 1t is performed
upon scientific principles, aided by rules
formulated during a practice of years.
The hide and limb-bones of a subject are
the only portions of the remains used.
His photographs Of mounted buffalo could
not be discerned from photographs of the
almost extinct race taken from life.
"Until very recently, said the professor,
live animals and birds received at the
national museum have been forwarded at
once to the Philadelphia geological gar
dcns. Hereafter all specimens secured
will be accommodated in the newly erect
ed quarters and exhibited free of charge.
If you meet anyone with young wild ami
mails which they wish to dispose of, Just
give them my address. We propose to
make the National museum second to
nonG in the world.
Geo. Taylor, the curiosity dealer, pre-
scented Prof. I~Iornaday with four large
prairie dogs. The fur-covered diminutive
animals will occupy a prominent place in
the museum.
Distress after eating, heartburn, sick
headache, and indigestion are cured by
II.-lH. S...I1. l. IL